A selection of works from local creatives will be showcased at a pop-up retail space on Ettalong’s Ocean View Road next month.
The ‘Blank Canvas’ pop-up shop will be open from Thursday 1 April to Friday 30 April in a bid to attract community members and visitors to the area to see local talent.
The shop will be located at 199A Ocean View Road, just behind the Lords of Pour café.
In a collaboration with MM Poems, fashion designer Carlie Ballard will feature as the first business in April to showcase their works at the Ettalong store, opening from April 1 to April 7.
The local business to feature in the second week of the Ettalong activation, from April 8 to April 14, has not yet been chosen.
Umina Beach-based potterer, Christina Mclean, will feature her brand ‘Trade the Mark’ at Ettalong from Thursday, April 15 to Wednesday, April 21.
Mclean said she was elated to hear she had been successful with her application to present for the first time in a pop-up store.
“I’m looking forward to creating a multi -purpose space as I’m passionate about shaping an interactive retail experience for visitors,” Mclean said.
“The space will include a mini ceramic studio setup where visitors will be able to interact and learn from me as I make work on site, along with a curated selection of work [available] for purchase.
“As with most creative businesses, last year was tough …I’ve been craving contact with customers [and] believe people are keen to connect and see and feel work in the flesh.
“I’m hoping that this initiative can stem the tide of shutdowns and isolation and showcase my creativity in a larger, public space.”
From Thursday, April 22 to Wednesday, April 28, artist Kristy Gordon will take over the space, showcasing her range of digital drawings, sculptural works and image series to locals.
Gordon said she knew she wanted to be involved as soon as the initiative was announced.
“This will be the first time I’ve shown a body of work locally, so it’s a brilliant opportunity to engage with locals and talk about art,” Gordon said.
“While I’ve never run a pop-up gallery myself, I have pulled off a solo exhibition before, so I’m running this opportunity as I would in any gallery space.
“The drawings and carvings I’ll be including in my space are true to my current aesthetic – you can expect abstract work with a distinct landscape sentiment.
“I was included in the Gosford Art Prize this year, so Blank Canvas will be a fantastic opportunity to follow on from this, showing the local community more of the kind of art I make, most of which is inspired by our stunning coastal environment close to home.”
The project, which acts as Central Coast Council’s inaugural creative activation, is fully funded through the Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery grants program as set out by the Australian Government.
Council Director of Corporate Affairs, Natalia Cowley, said the project is an exciting opportunity for local creators to take over a prime retail location.
“This fantastic initiative is about providing a platform for local talent to showcase their bespoke work and reach new customers,” Cowley said.
“We have an impressive and growing creative community on the Coast but many of our makers and creators don’t have their own shop front – ‘Blank Canvas’ provides that opportunity.”
A pop-up retail space will also be launched at Long Jetty’s The Entrance Road and will showcase works from indigenous artists Garry Purchase and Kylie Cassidy, and surf wear designer Bird + Hill.
More information about the program can be found at lovecentralcoast.com/blankcanvas
Maisy Rae